Front Porch Furniture

Whether due to inclement weather or potential theft, you may want to secure porch furniture and protect your investment. In the event of strong winds, install porch swings, turn heavy furniture on its side, and use sandbags or ratchet straps to weigh anything else down. Steel cables and a lock are an easy, low-cost solution to help prevent outdoor furniture from being stolen.

There are a few ways to deter cats from using your outdoor furniture as a scratching post or nap spot. If it’s your own pet, work on training them and consistently place them back on the ground if they jump up. For neighborhood strays or particularly defiant felines, use a cat repellent spray or place double-sided tape on strategic spots of your furniture’s frame. Another option is dedicating space just for them, like a cat tree or catio.

The ideal furniture arrangement will depend on the shape and layout of your porch, as well as how you plan to use it. Porches are generally wide and narrow, so look for furniture with similar shapes. A porch swing or deep seating sofa creates a comfy conversation spot, or multiple Adirondacks lined up works just as well. If you plan to enjoy meals alfresco, a small bistro or balcony dining with seating on one side should fit most floorplans. Layer in accent tables, ambient lighting, and comfy outdoor pillows to put the finishing touches on your space.

Birds can damage porch furniture and outdoor pillows, so you may want to keep them at bay. Try placing bird spikes on railings or other places they like to perch, spritzing a spray that specifically repels them, or using the sound and reflective light of wind chimes to gently shoo them away.